While loading equipment, the tailgate cable broke and collapsed 3 to 4 inches, throwing the driver to the ground. The consumer sustained a sprained shoulder.

- Buffalo Junction, VA, USA

I have had my 2001 Chevrolet Silverado in the dealer twice because of the tailgate opening unexpectedly. A few months ago I opened the tailgate and it slipped out of my hands and both cables broke off at the same time. I feel for a vehicle only a couple of years old the cables should not have rusted out like that. The dealer tells me to oil the handle hardware every couple months to stop the problem with the tailgate. I've had trucks before and never had to oil the handle like the dealer is telling me to do. I read the article in the paper about the tailgates and thought I should say something too. I can see where the tailgates could fall off with the problem with the hinge and the cables. To this day I still have to double check the tailgate by popping it with the palm of my hands to make sure it's secure.

- Parma, OH, USA

While driving tailgate fell off. Consumer contacted dealership, and technician determined strap attachments needed to be replaced.

- Flint, MI, USA

Tailgate cables. One has broken and the other is almost broken through. Dealer will not replace cables. The truck is kept in a garage out of the weather. The truck is only a 2001.

- Carleton, MI, USA

Both tailgate cables snapped.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

Tailgate cables one has broken and the other has a rust spot.

- Carleton, MI, USA

Both tailgate straps on my 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500hd broke simultaneously when I dropped the tailgate as I was opening it.

- King George, VA, USA

Owner was opening tailgate when the tailgate started to slip and both cables snapped - no injury or tailgate separation occurred. ODI engineering contacted the owner who provided the above summary: This updated information differed from the original information which was recorded in error.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Tailgate cables failed when gate lowered. Dealer claimed not covered as vehicle is out of warranty.

- Liberty, MO, USA

I have a 2001 Chevy Silverado and have had to replace both cables that support the tailgate. This is a dangerous situation as one broke while I was standing on the tailgate.

- South Bend, IN, USA

I had just bought my truck used at a dealer here in Minnesota. I went to my wife's parents to show them the truck. When I opened the tailgate and went to rest it on the straps, all of the sudden they both broke and my tailgate slammed into the bumper. The dealer was able to fix tailgate, and the straps were replaced, but I am now very scared to use it because of what happened. What if I was loading something heavy when this happened. There was no weight on my tailgate and they broke, it looked like a corrosion problem that caused the weakness. This problem is very bad, it should be corrected before someone ges hurt!!!

- Shoreview, MN, USA

I own a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado. Both tailgate cables snapped. This could have been very dangerous if I were loading equipment into the truck when this happened.

- Lutz, FL, USA

The left tailgate cable on my 2001 cheverolet Silverado 2500 hd broke a couple of days ago. Fortunately the right held and no serious injury ocurred. However both had to be replaced because of rust inside the protective sleeves had eaten away the metal. This problem is concealed by the protective cover over the steel cable.

- Hammond, LA, USA

Both straps on the tailgate of my 2001 Silverado pickup broke. I was standing on the back of the tailgate loading a 13 hp lawn mower into the back of the truck using ramps and right side strap broke, and the left broke within one second of the right breaking. According to the dealer it is under warranty. However, this seems to be a problem with these vehicles. The local dealer says they change at least one set a day on pickups. GMC knows this is a problem and no recall has been issued.

- Lafayette, LA, USA

The tail gate cables rusted through, which caused the tail gate to have no support.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

Tailgate was in down position when both tailgate straps broke.

- East Bend, NC, USA